Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said no war is expected between Iran and the United States, stressing that the Islamic Republic would not negotiate with Washington either.
"We do not seek war in the first place and they know a war is not in their interests," he said, addressing a group of state officials in Tehran on Tuesday, the Leader’s website reported.
The US last year walked away from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal on the grounds that it did not include non-nuclear issues such as Iran’s defense and regional policies.
It has been ratcheting up economic and military pressure against Tehran to force it to renegotiate a new deal.
The deployment of military hardware by the US to the Persian Gulf has aroused concerns over a potential war between the two arch-enemies.
The leader ruled out the possibility of a military clash, saying the "current confrontation is a battle of wills".
"Because we have a stronger will, a good future is awaiting our nation," he said.
‘Double Poison’
The US administration has renewed its call for talks, especially after Tehran reacted to its hostile measures by announcing that it will not comply with two of its commitments under the deal until other parties secured Iran's banking and oil benefits within 60 days.
US President Donald Trump has even passed a phone number, in case Iran wanted to enter talks.
Ayatollah Khamenei rejected the choice of negotiations with the US, describing it as "poison".
"Negotiation with the US … unless they come to their senses, is poison, while negotiation with the current administration is double poison," he said.
Negotiation, according to the Leader, is a give and take, and the US is seeking to take away Iran's strengths in this deal.
"They say let's talk about missiles, the true meaning of this demand is that you must reduce the range and accuracy of your missiles so that when we target you, you can't respond," he said.
Iran's “strategic depth” in the region is another strong point that the US sees as a cause for concern and seeks to restrict through a deal, he added.
The Leader stressed that no noble and wise Iranian would deal with a party that wishes to take their country's strengths away from them.
He stressed that dialogue with the US is basically "wrong", especially with the incumbent administration that respects neither ethics nor international law, and is "absolutely meaningless".
Economic Resistance
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to two ways to confront the enemy: to retreat and allow them to advance, or to resist and withstand the pressure, advising that the latter be adopted.
"Our experience in the Islamic Republic shows that whenever we have resisted the enemy's force, we have achieved a result," he said.
The Leader stressed that the manner of resistance that is needed today is economic rather than military but in doing so, Iran must not rely on foreign countries.
"Relying on foreigners will harm the country," he said, citing as an example the behavior of Europeans with regard to the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
After the US withdrew from the nuclear deal, the European Union pledged and took a number of steps to shield Iran against the American sanctions, but none of its efforts could practically help preserve Iran's financial benefits.
Their special purpose vehicle known as INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges), which aimed to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran, was registered after a long delay and has failed to operate so far, although Iran has set up the corresponding institute.
"We did not have a conflict with Europeans, but they did not and do not fulfill any of their commitments while claiming constantly that they adhere to JCPOA," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
